Your #1 Guide for Online Share Tradinghttps://www.regulatedbroker.co.uk
Forex reviews, binary options reviews, share tips and moreThu, 17 Aug 2017 21:18:41 +0000en-GBhourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.7.5MLM Scams: How to Spot, Avoid and Report Themhttps://www.regulatedbroker.co.uk/mlm-scams/
https://www.regulatedbroker.co.uk/mlm-scams/#respondThu, 17 Aug 2017 21:18:12 +0000https://www.regulatedbroker.co.uk/?p=1101Read more]]>Almost everyone has been exposed to MLM scams at one point in their lives. Whether you were looking for a job after college or your friend tried to sell you some glass cleaner, you were probably exposed, too.

What are MLM scams, and how do you avoid them? Are they dangerous? If so, what’s the danger? Here’s what you need to know about MLM scams and how to steer clear.

What is Multi-Level Marketing?

MLM companies, or multi-level marketing companies, are generally offers of income, the amount of which is based on the number of people you recruit to a home business.

In other words, you’ll buy into a company, usually by purchasing inventory to sell. You then are tasked with selling that inventory, and a commission from those sales is promised to you. Yet another percentage is promised to the person who convinced you to join the business, and so on. As you recruit new sales staff, a commission from their sales will supposedly be credited to you.

Multi-level marketing scams promise unlimited income, and that income is usually based solely on the number of new associates you recruit. They’re also sometimes called pyramid schemes due to the “shape” of the pay structure, when charted.

Now, there are MLM businesses which actually do work, and representatives can be quite successful. Amway is one such company. Pampered Chef is another. And, by some standards, Avon and Mary Kay are multi-level marketing businesses. These companies sell real and valuable products to consumers, and the salespeople benefit from a MLM pay structure.

But there are many more MLM scams than there are legitimate companies. There are a few ways in which you can identify MLM scams. Read on to know how to differentiate MLM scams from real business opportunities.

Are MLM Companies Legitimate?

Do you have a social media profile? If you do, there’s a chance that you’ve seen many posts by your “friends,” trying to sell you one product or another. Every time you turn around, someone’s peddling their organic produce or designer handbag on your newsfeed.

Done right, sales can be quite a lucrative career. As recently as 2015, almost half of recent college grads could not find work related to their major. As a result, they entered sales-related positions. In addition to these displaced graduates, there has been a rise in the number of work at home mothers and fathers. Many of these join companies like Thirty-One and Thrive.

While you may grow tired of your so-called friends trying to sell things to you online, there’s nothing inherently wrong with these companies. They offer products for sale, regardless of quality, and the companies themselves have branded themselves so as to create a demand for their product.

Many people have had success in selling products with these companies, and have avoided falling into the trap of multi-level marketing scams. These entrepreneurs sell medical equipment, financial services, cosmetics, legal services and even toys with great success. Usually that success translates to a secondary income, but occasionally it can provide full time earnings.

How to Identify MLM Scams

With the increased interest in work from home opportunities, many businesses have chosen to present MLM scams to prospective “employees.” These scams, like the legitimate MLM companies, can sell a wide variety of products. From prepaid legal services to travel bookings, the product varies greatly.

MLM scams do, however, have a number of things in common. Here’s what to look out for, so as not to fall victim to MLM scams.

First, be sure that the company is offering you an opportunity to sell a real product. Many MLM scams will focus recruitment on the “opportunity” to earn your income by merely recruiting even more victims.

Secondly, never pay for a training program. Legitimate companies will provide training to you free of charge. Those which ask you to pay to teach you how to sell a product have simply found yet another way to earn money.

Thirdly, consider the commission structure of the MLM. Now imagine that you never recruited anyone to join the company “under” you. Would you still make money if you were to sell the products? If not, it’s an MLM scam.

Finally, be very wary of any “opportunity” which requires you to pay upfront. Membership fees and costly inventory purchases are almost sure signs of MLM scams. If you’re approached with any such opportunity, research it very carefully before making an investment.

How to Avoid MLM Scams

The absolute most important way to protect yourself from MLM scams is to use your intuition. As mentioned, there are many MLM businesses which have been in existence since as early as the 1970s. Some are a legitimate means of earning an income.

But if you’re faced with a new “opportunity” it’s critical that you use your best judgment. Do you feel like you’re being pressured to “invest” in the company? Do you feel like the person who is trying to recruit you is being heavy handed? Shady or vague?

Never take advantage of “limited time offers.” If the business is as successful as your recruiter claims, it will still exist tomorrow. Instead of pulling out your credit card, go home and research the company. Look at reviews, check the Better Business Bureau and look up the company with your state’s Attorney General’s office or the FTC.

There are legitimate multi-level marketing companies. But, if we’re being honest, that number is small. A majority of the MLM companies you’ll encounter are merely multi-level marketing scams, designed to cheat you out of your initial investment.

It’s admirable to have an entrepreneurial spirit. It’s natural to want a business opportunity which will afford you a healthy work-home balance. But while MLM opportunities do exist, it’s unlikely that you’ll build a great deal of wealth from them. There are countless other ways to earn money without holding down a 9-5 job. Our advice to you is to seek them out, and when you’re approached with an MLM “opportunity,” run far, far away.

]]>https://www.regulatedbroker.co.uk/mlm-scams/feed/0IRS Scam Calls (How to Spot Them, Stop Them and Stay Safe)https://www.regulatedbroker.co.uk/irs-scam-calls/
https://www.regulatedbroker.co.uk/irs-scam-calls/#respondSat, 12 Aug 2017 22:20:15 +0000https://www.regulatedbroker.co.uk/?p=1093Read more]]>Dealing with the IRS can be scary. Forget to mail in your tax return? You can bet they’ll be notifying you. They’ll even go so far as to garnish your wages and your bank account – every last penny in your bank account.

But what about if you get a call from the IRS? What do you do? How do you tell the difference between a legitimate request for information and an IRS scam call? Here’s what you need to know about the IRS, and how to avoid becoming a victim of financial crime.

IRS Scam Calls

Your phone rings. You pick up, and hear a voice on the other end. The caller is usually in a noisy environment; you can hear his coworkers talking around him.

“Yes, is this Sarah Smith? S-m-i-t-h.” The caller may have an accent, making him difficult to understand.

“Yes,” you answer.

“This is Daniel Barker. I’m calling from the Internal Revenue Service. There has been a problem with your tax return.”

You panic. You did everything right, right? These calls are nothing new. Scammers have been preying on taxpayers for years. Knowing that the average US citizen fears nothing more than trouble with the IRS, these scammers call at all times of the year. They’ll demand your social security number, your home address, and threatened to have you arrested if you don’t provide this information.

Relax, citizens of the United States. The IRS is scary, but Uncle Sam will never do that to you. If you receive a call like this, it’s one of the thousands of IRS scam calls placed each year, and you’ve got nothing to worry about.

It’s important that you know a bit about how the IRS operates, and know the signs of these scam calls.

Trouble with Your Return?

If you legitimately have trouble with your return, the IRS can be nasty to deal with. But they’re not going to call you, nor will they email you. Instead, they’ll send you a letter in the mail, sometimes certified, outlining the problem with your return. Trust us when we say that you’ll know if you have a problem.

Let’s say that you forgot to mail in your 2011 Federal Return. It’s now 2017, and the IRS has discovered this oversight. The first thing that will happen is you’ll get a letter in the mail. You’ll be presented with the balance that the IRS has calculated that you owe – or in some cases the amount to be refunded to you.

This amount is based solely on income reported to the IRS. There are no deductions or other adjustments used to make the calculation. There will be, however, a very hefty interest penalty included.

Once you receive that letter, you’ll call the IRS. Your letter will include an identification number which is different from your social security number. It’s that number which you will provide to the person on the other end of the line.

If you fail to call them, they still won’t call you. Instead, they’ll send a wage garnishment letter to your employer. They’ll also deduct every single penny from your bank account, up to the amount you supposedly owe. At this point you have three options. First, you could consider your debt paid. You won’t hear from them again. Second, you could call to set up a payment arrangement for the full balance. Third, you can mail in that return that you failed to produce back in 2011.

The IRS won’t call you. That’s the most important thing to know about IRS scam calls. They’re all scams.

Signs of IRS Scam Calls

You already know that if someone calls you claiming to be from the Internal Revenue Service, it’s likely a scam. But it can still be scary. Sometimes these callers will even manipulate caller ID to reflect a call from the IRS.

These callers already know a lot about you. Maybe your kid plugged your name into a website, or maybe someone sold your information after you made a purchase. Regardless, they know enough about you to get you riled up.

Your name, the last four of your social (sometimes even your whole social), your address, your place of employment and names of family members are very easy to come by, and the scammers will have that information. When they call, they’ll use this information to scare you into sending them an immediate payment.

Payment forms that these callers demand vary, and can be a bit bizarre. They’ll usually ask for your bank account or credit card information. But recently, victims in Wyoming were asked for payment in the form of iTunes gift cards. Surely the IRS has no need for those, right?

More often than not, the IRS scam calls will include a threat of immediate arrest. Again, not the IRS. The IRS just wants its money – they’ll get their money before they see you thrown in a cell.

In rare cases, these callers will inform you that you’re due a refund. They’ll require your bank account information and your social security number. Don’t give them this information. The IRS will do nothing more than mail you a check if you’re due any money.

In short, if you receive a call from the IRS demanding any information, hang up. If you feel that you owe money, call the IRS to sort the issue.

What to Do If You Receive IRS Scam Calls

If you do receive one of these calls, the best thing to do is to hang up immediately. Take note of the phone number, and report it to the Federal Trade Commission and the IRS Impersonation Scam Reporting hotline.

Do not give personal information about yourself. The IRS knows how to find you, and it knows how to get money from you. Most importantly, do not give these callers money in any form.

The best way to avoid IRS scam calls is to refrain from giving out personal information online, on survey sites and others. But it can happen to anyone. If you receive one of these calls, you’ve got nothing to worry about. Hang up the phone and call 1-800-829-1040 to determine if the IRS is truly looking for you.

]]>https://www.regulatedbroker.co.uk/irs-scam-calls/feed/0JM Bullion Reviews: Expert Opinionhttps://www.regulatedbroker.co.uk/jm-bullion-reviews/
https://www.regulatedbroker.co.uk/jm-bullion-reviews/#respondMon, 07 Aug 2017 15:30:34 +0000https://www.regulatedbroker.co.uk/?p=1080Read more]]>When you’re making up your mind of where you should invest, it helps to have expert opinions to decide whether you’re spending your money wisely. Take, for instance, JM Bullion, an online retailer based in Dallas, TX that supplies investors with precious metals (gold, silver, copper, platinum). Should you purchase coins and bullion from them? In this article, we’ll take a look at a number of JM Bullion Reviews from a number of websites out there so that you can form a solid opinion of whether you should invest with them.

Better Business Bureau (BBB) Review

According to the Better Business Bureau, JM Bullion scores and A+ rating. Their customer base is also widely represented, with over 400 reviews (390 positive reviews) totaling to an astonishing 96% approval rating. There are very few negative reviews, as well, with most focusing on pricing, shipping, and their return policy. What is of particular interest to investors is that of the 14 negative review, the business directly responded to all of them to come to a public resolution to their grievances.

Consumer Affairs Review

BuySilver.org Review

Offering an in-depth review of JM Bullion from 2012, BuySilver.org’s review highlights a number of positive factors that make JM Bullion a solid company. They do mention that the inventory of JM Bullion is barebones, but after revisiting the website, it is clear that a number of changes have been made to their business model. For instance, their initial minimum amounts to purchase were $5,000 and only through bank wire; since then, JM Bullion has reduced this to as low as $100 and accepts nearly every form of payment.

GoldIRAHandbook.com Review

This 2/5 review, compiled by John Taylor, paints a different picture of JM Bullion. He cites a number of positive factors, including no service charges, a wide selection of gold products, current and up-to-date pricing, and a price lock-in feature for their website. However, John cites that JM Bullion lacks a few services that other companies offer as a standard, including storage service and some issues with the quality of products that are being offered.

Ripoff Report Review

Of all the JM Bullion reviews listed here, this may seem to be the least “expert” of them all, but it does illustrate how JM Bullion handles a particularly irate customer who had a shipping dispute. Apparently, a $15k purchase disappeared from their drop-off location. While the customer is clearly angry, it is interesting to find out how JM Bullion handles their disputes and comes to a particular resolution. Another interesting tidbit is that the owners of JM Bullion also own a number of gambling websites in addition to their precious metal ventures.

]]>https://www.regulatedbroker.co.uk/jm-bullion-reviews/feed/0Bullion Definition: What is Bullion? (Gold, Silver, Bars, Coins, Rounds)https://www.regulatedbroker.co.uk/bullion-definition/
https://www.regulatedbroker.co.uk/bullion-definition/#respondWed, 02 Aug 2017 14:25:01 +0000https://www.regulatedbroker.co.uk/?p=1078Read more]]>Looking for a good bullion definition? In this article, we’ll take a look what bullion is and how it’s used as an investment tool.

What is Bullion?

The typical image of bullion is of precious metals formed into bars, known as ingots. These ingots are graded on their purity and mass. A “parted bullion”, which is the official designation, consists of ingots that are 99.5% purity; bullion that consists of more than one type of metal is known as an “unparted bullion”.

Gold bars are the predominant form of bullion, with silver and other precious metals (like platinum) also used for investment purposes. The creation of bullion is extracted from gold ore and subsequently shaped into molds for ease of storage and transport. While other base metals (i.e. copper, aluminum) may be defined as bullion by retailers, this is mostly just clever marketing and not a widely-accepted definition for investors.

As a historical note, bullion takes its name from the French Minister of Finance under Louis XIII, Claude de Bullion, who had his vast fortune and holdings being recognized under his namesake in 1621.

Bullion Coins

Similar to our previous gold bullion definition, bullion coins are precious metals shaped into coins; however, they are not numismatic coins and therefore for not circulated as such. Additionally, bullion coins have an officially recognized purity of 90%, which affects their value among investors. While bullion coins may be stamped with a nominal value, this is more of a symbolic gesture than an intended usage.

Bullion as an Investment Tool

Because of gold being recognized as a symbol of wealth and economic stability, gold bullion is prized by investors for its ability to transcend market fluctuations. Some of these advantages include hedging against currency risks, inflation risks, geopolitical strife and uncertainty, or to diversify an investment portfolio.

In comparison to those who chose to invest in numismatic coins, gold bullion’s price is more stable and can be traded at lower margins. This is because it is traded at the precious metal content. The trading price of gold bullion isn’t subject speculation and arbitrary grading by numismatic hobbyists and overspeculative dealers, who may artificially inflate the perceived value of gold coins. This makes gold bullion an attractive investment.

Gold bullion itself is used for jewelry, electronics, and other products, but investors typically trade on the bullion market. The price of gold bullion is subject to supply and demand, as with any other traded commodity. However, there are special bullion markets (ex. SPDR Gold Shares, London Bullion Market) that cater to its trade specifically.

Gold Bullion as an industry

Gold bullion and its trade comprise a whole distinct industry that involves many
participants, which include:

Because gold bullion needs to be transformed from ore and lode to turn it into a salable commodity, these participants must provide the facilities for extracting it from the earth, refining its purity, melting it into form, assaying the gold, transporting it for storage and accounting, and finally vaulting it to have it put to market. At each stage of this process, the cost of gold bullion is affected.

]]>https://www.regulatedbroker.co.uk/bullion-definition/feed/0How Much is a Gold Coin Worth? (Factors that Determine Value)https://www.regulatedbroker.co.uk/how-much-gold-coin-worth/
https://www.regulatedbroker.co.uk/how-much-gold-coin-worth/#respondThu, 27 Jul 2017 22:23:53 +0000https://www.regulatedbroker.co.uk/?p=1076Read more]]>One question that newbie coin collectors and even veteran numismatists often wonder is, “how much is a gold coin worth?” It’s an honest question that deserves an honest answer, which is “it’s all relative.” One common assumption that new coin collectors make is that if a coin is old, it has to be valuable. This is not necessarily true. In truth, the value of gold coins isn’t solely determined by a single factor, but by a number of of the coin’s attributes. Depending on how the particular coin fits the criteria of each attribute, the value of a gold coin can be determined.

These attributes are:

Design

Demand

Strike

Age

Face Value

Purity

Rarity

Grading

Dealer’s fee

Let’s take a look at each of these to see how the affect a coin’s value.

Design

Coins are designed to be works of art. The aesthetic value of a coin can be one of the most significant factors when deciding how valuable a coin is to collectors. As an example, the Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle (designed by famed sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens) is coveted for its intricate design and overwhelming beauty. More common designs or imitations of popular designs tend to not have the same appeal as unique and aesthetically-pleasing designs.

Demand

As a collector’s item, gold coins are a tradable commodity that adheres to the classic laws of supply and demand. Simply put, the higher the demand for a particular coin, the greater the implied value—thus, the price will rise accordingly.

What causes this demand can be the rarity (see below), but also the perceived demand for a gold coin among numismatic collectors. Coins that were previously thought to be worthless may suddenly pique the interest of collectors who want to make their collections unique (and also take advantage of being the vanguard). A good example would be the 1955 perfect Lincoln penny, which was worth little more than its face value and its historical curiosity. However, as many collectors were looking for novel ways to set their collections apart from others, the price of this coin skyrocketed to its current value in the thousands.

Strike

Just as a beautifully executed design may increase the value of a coin, the strike—the process of stamping a coin with a design—may add value to a coin. It should be noted that the strike works both ways: well-struck coins are typically worth more than poorly-struck versions, however, certain defects in the striking process may add value to an otherwise worthless coin.

Age

One common assumption about a coin’s value is that age is one of the most important factors in determining a coin’s worth. The truth is that while it certainly plays a part, it is not the end-all-be-all determinant of value. As an example, the 1804 Draped Bust quarter is more valuable than any of the 50 state quarters that have been minted between 1999 up to the present. On the other hand, newer coins—especially pennies—may sometimes sell for higher prices than older coins of the same series/denomination. For instance, a 1943 wheat head penny is a lot more valuable than the 1873 Indian head penny because of other factors that are not age-dependent (i.e. strike, rarity, etc.).

Face value

For numismatic coins, face value is the legal value that is stated on the coin. Face value can be thought of as the minimum value that a coin is traded at. For instance, the face value of a 1943 wheat head penny is only one-cent despite it being worth far more to collectors.

Purity

The more gold, the higher the value. The metallic content of a coin is directly related to a how much gold coins are actually worth. In fact, some coins (i.e. gold rounds) are more valuable than other simply by how much gold is trading on the daily markets.

Rarity

The less particular coins out there, the higher the value. The rarity of a gold coin can be considered to be one of the most important factors to take into consideration when judging the value and how much collectors would be willing to pay for an item. For instance, a mistake at a mint, the location of a mint, or a government recall of a particular type of tradable currency may create a value, as there are a finite number of coins that affect how available a coin is to traders.

Scarcity of a coin, while related to supply and demand, makes these gold coins more a solid investment that aren’t subject to the trends of collectors or other folks.

Grading

The physical condition of your coin is known as its “grading”. Typically, coins are graded on a scale from 1 – 70, which 70 being the best grade. Mint condition, or coins that are retained as close to when they were first struck at the mint, tends to yield scores between 65 – 70. The better the state of preservation, the better the value.

Grade is depending on the following factors:

Strike

The eye appeal (i.e. artwork, techniques of manufacture)

Coloration

Luster

Damage, including dents, corrosion, carbon spot, dents, etc.

Dealer’s Fee

Collecting coins isn’t a cheap hobby. Beyond just the value of gold coins, collectors must factor in the various markups, services, and fees that come with being a numismatic hobbyist or investor. Those that regularly trade coins must factor in the margins that they are paying for.

The overheads that a dealer/broker has charge for to keep his business afloat and profitable (i.e. charging a fee for credit card vs. wire transfers)

And so forth. You may be tempted to not factor this into your purchases and your business model, but collectors should be aware that every transaction that they are involved with costs money—unless there’s a no-strings- attached arrangement from receiving a gold coin collection, from a deceased family member as an example, one must factor in commerce to adequately assess how much a gold coin really is worth.

]]>https://www.regulatedbroker.co.uk/how-much-gold-coin-worth/feed/0Apmex Gold Coins Review: Products and Service Reviewedhttps://www.regulatedbroker.co.uk/apmex-gold-coins-review/
https://www.regulatedbroker.co.uk/apmex-gold-coins-review/#respondSat, 22 Jul 2017 21:37:16 +0000https://www.regulatedbroker.co.uk/?p=1072Read more]]>Apmex is one of the most popular dealers of rare coins, precious metals, and bullion on the market today. However, did you know that there is such a thing as Apmex gold coins?

Actually, that’s a bit of bit of misnomer. In fact, the coins offered by Apmex brand are actually known as “rounds”. Rounds differ from other types of coins, in that they offer a number of advantages and characteristics from coins and other types of investments:

Like coins, rounds are smaller, lighter, and easier to transport and store than large bullion bars (gold bullion bars weigh 12.4 kg).

Because coins develop fluctuating value over time based on supply/demand, historical context, and other features, a round’s value is easier to determine solely based on its precious metal content in the marketplace. Similarly, a round has less financial barriers than coins, making it a great way for newer collectors to begin investing in precious metals.

Rounds are not publically-circulated and are never intended to function as currency, which ensures that its value will not degrade based on handling.
The designs chosen for rounds are nearly limitless. Some companies, like Apmex, choose a no-frills design that emphasizes the piece’s sole intention as an investment. However, there are many designs that commemorate events, public figures, mythology, or interests/hobbies (i.e. sports, holidays, comic book characters).

There are also rounds that are designed as replicas for historical coins. To prevent forgeries and misidentification, legislation like The Hobby Protection Act of 1973 requires that replica rounds must be clearly marked to distinguish them prevent fraud.

To further prevent counterfeiting and prevent deceiving buyers, rounds are not allowed to be made with the same weight, dimensions, and other characteristics of coins produced worldwide. For instance, gold rounds that are replicas must be clearly stamped with “COPY” . Another example is that gold rounds may be made in unorthodox weight denominations, such as 1/25 oz gold rounds.

Okay, now that that’s out of the way, let’s look at which “Apmex gold coins” has to offer. Currently, Apmex has three varieties of gold rounds:

Apmex Coins Review: 1/10 oz. Gold Round

These premium Gold rounds feature APMEX’s iconic and patriotic American eagle design, along with the trusted APMEX logo. Fractional Gold rounds also provide a convenient form to purchase Gold bullion.

Round Highlights:

Contains 1/10 oz of .9999 fine Gold.

Each round is sealed in a plastic flip to protect their design and finish.

Obverse: Beautiful American Eagle design common amongst APMEX products featuring 13 small stars representing the original colonies. This design is shown in the center of the round, surrounded by the weight and purity.

Reverse: APMEX logo and website address.

Guaranteed by APMEX.

Apmex Coins Review: 1/4 oz. Gold Round

These premium Gold rounds feature APMEX’s iconic and patriotic American eagle design, along with the trusted APMEX logo. Fractional Gold rounds also provide a convenient form to purchase Gold bullion.

Round Highlights:

Contains 1/4 oz of .9999 fine Gold.

Each round is sealed in a plastic flip to protect their design and finish.
Obverse: Beautiful American Eagle design common amongst APMEX products featuring 13 small stars representing the original colonies. This design is shown in the center of the round, surrounded by the weight and purity.

Reverse: APMEX logo and web address.

Guaranteed by APMEX.

Apmex Coins Review: 1/2 oz. Gold Round

These premium Gold rounds feature APMEX’s iconic and patriotic American eagle design, along with the trusted APMEX logo. Fractional Gold rounds also provide a convenient form to purchase Gold bullion.

Round Highlights:

Contains 1/2 oz of .9999 fine Gold.

Each round is sealed in a plastic flip to protect their design and finish.

Obverse: Beautiful American Eagle design common amongst APMEX products featuring 13 small stars representing the original colonies. This design is shown in the center of the round, surrounded by the weight and purity.

Reverse: APMEX logo and web address.

Guaranteed by APMEX.

Apmex Coins: Are You Getting a Good Deal?

When buying gold online, it helps to be informed of which businesses can be trusted and which ones are good for your investing future? Apmex, short for American Precious Metals Exchange, is a Oklahoma City, OK corporation that has been around since 2000, selling precious metals (gold, silver, platinum, etc.) online. Apmex is also a buyer/seller of bars, wafers and coins. They carry US Mint bullion products, Royal Canadian Mint products, as well as Krugerrands of South Africa.

In this article, we’ll discuss some points and point readers towards some full reviews to get determine whether you’re getting a good deal with Apmex coins, bullion, and so forth.

Payment Method

It should be noted that if you choose to make purchases on Apmex, make sure to pay by trade, bank wire transfer, or check. Apmex says the following:

“We provide a 4.0% cash discount to our customers if they pay for their orders by check, bank wire, or trade. The prices shown for each product under Check/Wire include the 4.0% cash discount. The prices show for each product under CC/PayPal are the full list price.”

As an example, for a $10,000 purchase, that amounts to a savings of $400. Not too shabby!

Minimum Purchases?

Another thing that consumers that are looking to buy/sell with Apmex is the company’s fine print. While they do a good job of prominently listing their prices, the following is attached to every price:

“Buy price shown is an indication only and is subject to vary if your transaction is less than $10,000 and/or the sell quantity relative to APMEX’s current inventory position exceeds our needs.”

This may or may not ward off high-dollar investors; however, newbie investors may feel that they are being taken advantage of by not starting out with more investment capital.

For more in-depth reviews, the following are a number of independent websites offering their criticism of Apmex.

Better Business Bureau (BBB) Review

One of the more trusted entities for consumers, the Better Business Bureau has a review on Apmex, grading them with an A+ rating, with 10 positive reviews versus 4 negative reviews totaling a 71% customer review rating.

According to the negative reviews posted, Apmex was frequently cited for having problems with returns by mail or incorrectly shipped products.

GoldIRAHandbook.com Review

Another online review from GoldIRAHandbook.com takes many other reviews and its own findings into account.

Their conclusions?

Defaults and delays in delivery.

Unsatisfactory quality of products.

Long waiting period when contacting customer service reps.

The aforementioned complaints listed in the BBB.

InvestorJunkie.com Review

This review by author Larry Ludwig from September 2016 is a mostly-positive review of Apmex, citing the ease of use during the buying experience, as well as commending Apmex for their discounts on the payment options. However, there are numerous comments below, which Larry responds to. For savvy investors, it may be worth your time to sift through those for a balanced opinion.

If you’re an avid silver coin collector like we are, then there’s a good chance you will have come across silver coins from Niue. These coins are produced by the New Zealand Mint for the small sovereign state of Niue. However, you won’t find them in the pockets of Niue citizens and will instead find them in the display cabinets and safes of numismatists around the world.

In this guide we’ll cover all of the following most commonly asked questions about Niue and Niue silver coins:

What are Niue Coins?

Where Can I Find Niue Coins?

How to Buy Niue Coins?

Why are Niue Coins so Expensive?

Niue Coins: The Basics

Niue have been issuing coins since 1966. These coins are classed as legal tender, but the coins are not found in circulation. These coins have always been created with the coin investor and the coin collector in mind. This means that the coins carry all of the benefits that being legal tender brings, including the stamp of approval from the New Zealand Mint (besides “taste tester” working at Chipotle, this has to be the best place to work) and the high standards required by all mints.

The New Zealand Mint is actually a privately owned company, and one that primarily mints for the private market. Although they create coins that are legal tender in Niue, they don’t create legal tender coins in New Zealand. All coins minted in NZ are actually created for the Reserve Bank of New Zealand by both the Royal Mint and the Royal Canadian Mint.

Now that we have the basics out of the way, let’s focus on the things you’re really interested in. Just what Niue silver coins are currently on the market, and do these have any benefits for the investor?

Niue Silver Coins: The Collections

There are many great collections of Niue coins, with more being released all of the time. Below you will find a selection of the Niue silver proofs we deem to be the best, focusing on the ones that have the best design, as well as those likely to fetch the highest sum further down the line.

Niue Disney Coins

These coins come with their own fancy cases and their own perspex frame. The coin is still perfectly accessible through that frame, so don’t worry, you can still hold and examine your coin when you first receive it.

We know that many investors were put off buying these Niue Disney coins when they were first released because they didn’t think they would be able to check that the silver was real. But that’s not the case.

There are actually many different Niue Disney coins. Our favorite is a 2014 collection of 1oz colorized silver coins. They include an iconic Disney character (Pluto, Mickey Mouse and Minnie mouse included) in front of a superimposed film reel and alongside their name. They are beautiful and are a perfect representation of what makes Niue so special.

Niue Star Wars Coins

The Niue Star Wars coins were always going to appeal to fans of this popular science fiction film franchise. It was a guarantee. There are actually many different Star Wars silver coins in the Niue collection. These include 2 dollar silver Obi-Wan silver coins and 2 dollar Han Solo silver coins. Not always as colorful or as grand as some of the other collections, the Niue Star Wars coins are still worth a look.

Niue Star Trek Coin

Just like Star Wars, Star Trek has a huge following and they were a readymade fanbase for the Niue Star Trek silver coins. These coins don’t number as highly as the Star Wars coins and they are not as pretty or as collectible as the Disney ones. but it seems to be a brand that the New Zealand Mint are keen to expand on and one we will likely see a lot more of.

Niue Pokemon Coin

The Niue Pokemon coin is actually fairly bland when compared to the coins above. You might think that this was cerated to coincide with the resurgence this game experienced following Pokemon Go. But it was actually minted back in 2001. It is also available in copper-nickel and there are several different designs.

Other Niue Silver Coins

There are many other top Niue proof coins that have caught our eye, coins that we think are both a sound investment and will look great in any collection. Some of the picks of the rest include:

Niue Disney Princess Coins: This collection is very similar to the Niue Disney collection mentioned above. The difference is that the focus is entirely on Disney Princesses.

Niue Avengers Coins: This is a 5 piece set that was first released in 2015 and contains all of the hallmarks of a classic Niue coin collection. Each coin is a different member of the super hero team.

Frozen Niue Coins: Created in 2016, these 2 dollar coins jumped on the bandwagon and latched onto the success of this animated film.

Are Niue Coins Any Good for Investors?

This is not an easy question to answer. As our regular readers know, we make a habit of providing honest advice here on Regulated Broker. Sometimes we’ve been criticized for being too negative, but only because we think that too many “experts” focus only on the positives.

The truth is that we love Niue silver coins. Like any silver stacker, we can’t resist a shiny, silver coin with a colored pattern. Add a low mintage to that, along with a favor character of ours, and there’s just no way we’re going to say no.

In fact, we haven’t always needed that familiarity. One of the site’s writers isn’t a big fan of Disney, yet he bought all of the Disney Niue coins as soon as they were released. Those coins have taken pride of place in his collection, but when you ask him whether he made a good decision to buy, he shrugs his shoulders and changes the subject.

The truth is, there is just no way of telling how popular these coins will become. Supply and demand drives the price of these coins. The mintage also helps, as foes the quality. but the lowest mintage coin in the world won’t increase in value if no one wants to buy it. If you add big brands like Star Wars and Disney to a coin, then you’re increasing the chances of investors wanting it. But that doesn’t guarantee anything.

That brings us to a final question, one that all readers are asking us:

Should I Buy Niue Coins?

If you like the coin and are buying for yourself and not just your collection, go for it. If you’re buying purely because you hope it will increase in value, then be wary. The New Zealand Mint know what they’re doing. They create many editions of the same coins so that while each may have a low mintage, the collection has a very high mintage on the whole. They also package it neatly and promote it well, which pushes up the value.

In the end, you’re getting a $15 hunk of metal for anywhere up to $100. That means that if there is no demand, then you’ve just lost $85. And on the flip side, even if there is demand, it’s going to have to be considerable. After all, you probably doubted yourself when you paid 10 times over the odds for that piece of metal. But imagine what a future buyer will think when you offer the same piece of metal for 20x or 30x its value.

In the past, we’ve looked at a few forex brokerages and offered you reviews of the services. One of those brokerages is Markets.com. But we’ve decided to revisit the platform, and to bring you updated information for 2017.

In a previous review of the site, we gave you an overview of Markets.com, and of what they offered. As of today, we’re still using the site and it still comes highly recommended.

Here’s what we’ve come to love about the Markets.com trading platform.

Markets.com for Beginning Investors

We know that a lot of our readers are beginning investors. That is to say, maybe you don’t have a ton of money to risk in the markets, or maybe you don’t know your way around Bitcoin or ETFs. If you’re just starting out, Markets.com is great for many reasons.

First, Markets.com will give you a free demo account. When you register for this account, you’re going to be given a balance of “pretend” money. This is usually around $10,000 unless you specify a different currency. You can check the website for details.

The demo account doesn’t simply demonstrate how Markets.com works. Instead, you’ll be able to initiate real time transactions, within the account. This will give you an idea of how well you would do if you were trading real money.

You’ll be able to view all of your transactions and the pretend stocks you own within your portfolio. If you’ve done well, and you’re ready to begin trading, you’ll be able to seamlessly switch to either a classic, standard or premium account. Of course, you can’t keep the money that you’ve “earned,” but it was fun to practice!

Markets.com is also great for beginners because of the low account minimums. To open a Classic Account, you’ll only need to deposit $100. You can use your credit card or a service like Skrill or PayPal to deposit. Once you’ve verified your personal information you’re ready to start. This low account minimum is great for investors who aren’t ready to throw tens of thousands at the stock markets just yet.

Markets.com for Experienced Investors

You don’t have to be a beginner to love Markets.com. If you’re willing to invest a little more, you can open a Standard or a Premium Account. The Standard requires a minimum beginning balance of $2,500, and the Premium is best suited for the most experienced investors. You’ll open this account with $20,000.

If you know your way around the markets and investing, Markets.com has a lot of options available to you. You’ll be able to trade ETFs with no commissions. You can trade over 50 currency pairs. You’ll have access to over 2,000 share CFDs and enjoy no commissions. You can even trade over 15 commodities.

With the Premium Account, you’ll also enjoy premium customer service. Customer service is available in several different languages, and is offered 24 hours a day, Monday through Friday. You can call for assistance, or use the Live Chat feature on the website.

Markets.com is Available Worldwide

Now, there are a few exceptions to this. Markets.com is owned by Safecap Investments, which is regulated by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission. It’s also authorized by the FSB in South Africa.

All that is to say you can use Markets.com anywhere in the EU, and in most other countries. It’s not, however, available to clients in countries such as the United States, Canada, Japan or China. These clients will have to look elsewhere for a trading platform.

Not only is Markets.com regulated by quite a few bodies, but the site itself is encrypted and secure. Of course, investing in the stock market is always risky. No trading platform will ever guarantee that you won’t lose money while investing. But the site uses advanced firewalls, SSL encryption and other methods to ensure that your personal information remains safe.

Markets.com has been an option for investors since it was launched in 2010, and since then has earned a reputation for being legitimate, reputable and safe.

The Markets.com Interface

What we love best about Markets.com isn’t necessarily the no commission structure or the wide range of trading options available. We just like the site. The site and the platform are very user friendly. Many times, discount brokers will clutter their websites with advertisements, videos and distracting streaming tickers. Markets.com has chosen to steer clear of this chaos.

The result is a well-organized yet very informative resource for investors. Within the pages of Markets.com, you’ll find educational webinars, news briefs and financial calendars. But they’re not going to distract you. It would seem that the folks at Markets.com know that as an investor, you’re visiting the site to do just that – to invest. There’s no need for a website to distract a user from its intended purpose.

We mentioned that Markets.com is available via mobile app as well. You can access the platform on your Android or Apple device, or on your Apple watch. The mobile app is even more straightforward than the site itself. You’ll be able to easily view your account balances, and to do quick research on stocks you own or are interested in. Initiating a transaction through the app is as simple as a few clicks.

Markets.com Overview

There are many reasons we’re still using Markets.com. The customer service is second to none, the desktop application is uncluttered and professional, and the mobile apps are the same. We love the variety of products offered by Markets.com. Everyone from the new investor to the experienced will find what they’re looking for.

The only complaint that we have about the site is that it may not always offer the most up to date news. For example, at the time of this post, the website’s breaking news was that Snapchat was about to issue an IPO. That news was, unfortunately, about four months old.

This is a small price to pay for such a well-executed website, though, and the solution is simple – use Markets.com to trade. Get your news elsewhere.

It’s unusual for us to review the same product twice on Regulated Broker. But we feel as if Markets.com deserved a second, updated look. We recommend that you check out the site as well, whether you’re a new investor or one with years of experience. There is, simply put, something on Markets.com for everyone.

You know Lexus. It’s a luxury car that’s become Japan’s best selling make of premium vehicle. And it’s a popular choice outside of Japan, too; Lexus cars are marketed in over 70 countries around the world.

So should you buy Lexus stock? Let’s look at the history of Lexus cars, and whether the stock may be a good investment for you.

Buy Shares in Lexus

To begin, you’ll need to know that Lexus cars are the premium line of vehicle built and sold by Toyota Motor Corp. Toyota is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under ticker symbol TM. That is to say, you can’t buy Lexus stock. Instead you’ll have to invest in parent company Toyota.

Toyota is the ninth largest company in the world by revenue, and has been in existence since the 1930s. But Lexus is a relatively new make of car. The brand was introduced at the Los Angeles Auto Show in 1988, and the first sedans were on the market in 1989.

Lexus began marketing itself as a luxury brand very early in the game. In 1988, the company selected 80 dealers who would be permitted to carry Lexus vehicles, followed by 121 in the year 1990. Because of this exclusivity and its claim of commitment to customer service, Lexus quickly outperformed Mercedes and BMW in sales by 1991.

Today, Lexus enjoys continued success, and was recently numbered at #64 on the most valuable brands list by Forbes. Since 1991, the brand has fallen behind Mercedes, Audi and BMW in sales. But this doesn’t indicate failure. In 2016, 678,000 Lexus cars were sold, up 4% from the previous year.

Lexus Stock Price History

Lexus had quite a successful start. Toyota, it would seem, excelled at branding its luxury product even before its release, which in turn caused a sense of exclusivity and created demand for Lexus cars. So what happened? Why does Lexus seem unable to get a leg up on the competition?

Unfortunately, many consumers associate Lexus with its parent company. That’s not to say that Toyota has a bad reputation. In fact, the opposite is true. Since its inception in 1937, Toyota Motor Corp worked to develop its name into a household one, and to build a reputation as an automotive innovator and as a manufacturer of quality cars. Toyota became the go-to for farm trucks and family cars. The Toyota share price reflects this fact, and the stock has been as reliable as its vehicles.

It’s perhaps this stellar reputation that has caused Lexus to fall behind the others. Why should a consumer buy a Lexus vehicle when they could buy an equally reliable and comfortable Toyota? Other automobile manufacturers have developed luxury brands just as Toyota did. Honda’s introduction of Acura vehicles in 1986 and Nissan’s release of Infiniti in 1989 are just two examples. And none have fared as well as the premium luxury brands.

Mercedes, Porsche, Audi and others remain the leaders because they are strictly luxury brands. With Lexus, there’s a measure of association of the brand with Toyota, and it’s for that reason that the brand has failed to surpass the competition.

Lexus Share Price

At the time this article was written, Toyota Motor Corp stock (NYSE:TM) was trading at just over $105 per share. Analysts have given the stock a “hold” rating. But the news isn’t all bad. Analysts have given a 12 month forecast average of $117, with a high estimate of $175 and a low of $95. That median is about an 11% increase from the current share price.

Toyota, however, has made the news recently. In April of this year, Lexus International Co president Tokuo Fukuichi stepped down from his position. He has since adopted a new role – he’s taken on the position of chief branding officer.

It’s unclear what effect Fukuichi’s new position will have on Toyota stock, but he certainly has some unique ideas in the pipeline for Lexus.

Lexus Stock News

Over the past year or so, there have been major advancements in the race to produce self driving cars. Nvidia, an artificial intelligence chipmaker, recently won a contract with Tesla and the cars are in the works.

People, and businesses as a result, want to push technology to the limits. From electric powered vehicles to self-driving cars, there’s always room to improve in applied science. And Lexus’s Fukuichi’s desires are no different.

Fukuichi, in his role as Lexus president, came to the realization that Lexus had become a more expensive extension of Toyota. And in an effort to change that perception, the chief branding officer has now begun to roll out plans to make a few changes to the brand.

We’ll look at those changes, but first a note in preface. We are by no means naysayers. Had no one believed we’d go to the moon, we wouldn’t have landed. Had no one believed that we could replicate organs using 3D printers, we wouldn’t have succeeded.

But we believe that such exploration should be done in the spirit of advancing science. Not to advance a brand. That said, Fukuichi has announced two new major products. The first of these is a luxury yacht. The second of these is a flying car.

Fukuichi intends to build a tiny flying car which will seat a sole driver. The company intends for that driver to light the flame at the Tokyo Olympic games in 2020. So far, the prototypes have been, quite frankly, crash and burn. The model will reportedly rise to about eye level before tilting and crashing to the ground. But only time will tell what developments will be made in the next few months.

Should You Buy Shares In Lexus?

Toyota Motor Corporation is a strong stock, and analysts agree that it’s best to hold onto it if you own shares. But as to whether you should buy stock, well, you might want to wait. Analysts aren’t excited about the strength of the yen or the prospects for its artificial intelligence development. That said, if you’re looking for a long term investment to buy and hold, you could certainly do worse than Toyota.

It remains to be seen what Fukuichi’s pipeline projects will deliver to Toyota Motor Corp. The result could be a stock price that flies as high as its cars or one that crashes and burns on a Jetson’s era Autobahn. But if you own Toyota stock, we do recommend that you hang on to them for the ride.

]]>https://www.regulatedbroker.co.uk/buy-lexus-stock/feed/0Find a Loan Broker in Your Area: Local Loanshttps://www.regulatedbroker.co.uk/find-loan-broker/
https://www.regulatedbroker.co.uk/find-loan-broker/#respondFri, 09 Jun 2017 11:57:30 +0000https://www.regulatedbroker.co.uk/?p=1022Read more]]>Are you looking for a loan? Need a new car, or researching purchasing your first home? There are a few ways that you can get the money you need. You can apply for loans online, or you can find a loan broker in your area.

There are benefits and disadvantages to each, and loans can be overwhelming. Mortgages alone have more terminology than a grade school vocabulary book. Words like APR, balloon, points, ARM, amortization and escrow will fly at you like ammunition. You’ll want to duck under your covers until it’s all over.

Some people choose to do it themselves, and others choose to hire a loan broker. The choice is yours; let’s look at the pros and cons of both methods.

Securing an Online Loan

For the purpose of this article, we’re going to talk about mortgages. You can probably find a loan broker in your area who will assist you with car notes and other types of loans. But mortgages are the most common.

It’s simple to apply for and secure a mortgage online without a broker. But it certainly helps to know what you’re looking for. Are you low income? A first time buyer? Do you know what kind of interest rate you qualify for?

If you already know exactly what you want, great! Go shopping! There are dozens of companies which will be happy to take your application. Traditional banks sell mortgages, as do companies like Quicken and Citi. Feel free to shop for the best rate, because FICO ignores mortgage inquiries made in the 30 days before scoring.

Once you find a loan you like, the rest is just a lot of paperwork. Be sure you’ve got your taxes and your bank statements in order. You’ll submit these to the loan company, usually via fax.

You can usually save a lot of money by using an online loan provider. Brokerage fees are generally lower, and the systems are largely automated. That is to say, you’re not paying someone’s salary with fees you incur. But you won’t get the personalized service that a brokerage will provide you.

Have you shopped for a while but are still confused about mortgages? Maybe it’s time to think about finding a loan broker in your area.

Using a Broker to Get a Loan

If you’re like most people, you don’t know exactly what you want in a loan. You may not know what you qualify for. And you may just not want to deal with all the paperwork associated with applying for a loan.

When you begin shopping for a mortgage, you’ll think there are about ten thousand thirty different kinds of loans. There are FHA loans which are through Housing and Urban Development. There are FSA loans for certain parts of the United States. These come through the USDA. And in addition to all of the government and private loans, there are conventional loans through bankers.

A good loan broker will be able to guide you through all of these options. She knows her industry and knows what’s available. And after interviewing you about your situation and your finances, she can direct you to the best loan for you.

And the service doesn’t end there. After you agree on which type of mortgage you’re interested in, your loan broker will apply for you, will submit all required paperwork and will hold your hand through the process until you close.

Having a loan broker certainly takes a lot of the confusion out of buying a home, but it comes at a price. Loan brokers will usually collect 1-2% of the total value of the loan you get. That can add up! You also may be responsible for administration fees and other payments. Be sure that you know what your broker charges before signing your paperwork.

Furthermore, it’s going to be important that you check out your loan broker before you hire her. Always interview her, but also ask friends for recommendations. Complaints about brokers are registered with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, so check there, too. Loan brokers are a great help in the loan process, but always make sure they’re licensed and legitimate.

Find a Loan Broker in Your Area

The internet is a wonderful tool for finding a loan broker in your area, but it can muddle the process as well. There is such thing as too many options. That said, a simple internet search probably won’t be your best bet.

To begin, always ask friends for recommendations. As an example, maybe you belong to a local group on a social media platform. Ask other members of that group who they used as their mortgage broker. People love to share their stories; buying a home is an exciting event.

Next, you’ll want to check out that recommendation with both the CFPB and the agency which serves your state. This is usually your state’s Commissioner of Banks. You can also look up your broker on the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System, or NMLS.

Finally, interview your loan broker. You’ll want her to answer a few questions about the service she provides, about her fees and about her ability to secure your desired loan. But you’re also going to want to feel comfortable with her. If you feel uncomfortable or uneasy with your loan broker, consider it a red flag and continue your search elsewhere.

There are plenty of websites which can help you to determine the right questions to ask your loan broker. As her rates, her points and her fees. Ask her if she will lock in a mortgage rate for you. Ask for a Good Faith Estimate, which is an estimate of the fees you’ll pay during the home buying process.

It’s ultimately your decision whether you hire a loan broker or you choose a do it yourself approach to home buying. Weigh the pros and cons of each carefully. It’s important that you feel comfortable with your decision, so that you can move forward with confidence.